Phil Foden's hat trick encapsulates why a healthy Manchester City are still a force to be reckoned with

A Foden-inspired Manchester City, now two points from Liverpool at the summit, swept Brentford aside on Monday

LONDON -- Could Thomas Frank have done any more? His Brentford side had a game plan that got them chances, executed it as well as anyone could reasonably expect and were still swept aside by a Phil Foden-inspired Manchester City, who have that ominous air of invincibility that tends to herald the coming of spring.

For half a half, Brentford looked like they might make it three wins from three against the English, European and world champions as Neal Maupay executed a route one goal of devastating simplicity and elegance. Once more, Erling Haaland was unable to get the better of Brentford. Even Kevin De Bruyne and Julian Alvarez couldn't find the net. City, two points from Liverpool at the summit with a game in hand, always have another guy to beat you with, even if labelling Foden that is utterly insufficient for a player of his talents.

What few vulnerabilities there are in the City ranks, Brentford were determined to probe. Whenever possession was regained, at least one of Maupay or Ivan Toney would peel off into the flanks, primed to attack the space vacated by visiting full backs, who are actually playing like full backs this season. If the second ball could be won -- Toney generally giving as good as he got against Ruben Dias -- then the wing backs would fly forward, aided by at least one of Matthias Jensen and Christian Norgaard.